Strategic Plan

In the fall of 2013, the City Healdsburg began a strategic planning process to help guide city leaders in planning for the future – 5 years, 10 years and maybe even 15 years ahead. All cities have a General Plan, a 20 year document that is a very detailed and focuses on land uses and guiding principles, but does not lay out a roadmap or action plans.

The City felt it was important to include as much input from the public as possible. The strategic planning process involved extensive public meetings with community stakeholders. The initial meetings involved collaborative charrette-sessions attended by residents, business owners and city employees. Another session brought together residents and leaders of the Hispanic community with the goal of identifying their specific needs and concerns. Most of these meetings were held at the Villa Chanticleer. Subsequent meetings were conducted with City Council and department heads and held at the Foss Creek Community Center. The entire process was designed to be an open forum from start to finish.

A strategic plan will guide our opportunity to implement action plans on several fronts. Many themes were recognized throughout the planning process. There is a strong desire to protect the character of our small town and our quality of life. There is a desire to diversify our economic base for future prosperity. There is a concern that our community does not have the housing opportunities that will allow the next generation of families to raise their children here and experience what many of us have come to treasure. And many more.

This plan is the beginning, not the end, of a process that will move the city forward, to respect what has made us successful, to rebalance our economic base and to expand upon opportunities that did not exist many years ago. We know that are challenges ahead of us and we are committed to arriving at great solutions. We are reminded of the lyrics of an old song- "the good old days weren't always good and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems." While considering and being an active part in our future, we ask that you remember that change is never easy or as expedient as some would like, and we hope that you will work with us to move Healdsburg forward in the best possible way for the next 30 years.